Context and Background:

Belshazzar, the last king of Babylon, is a prominent figure in the Book of Daniel. He is known for the infamous feast where he desecrated the sacred vessels taken from the Jerusalem Temple. During this feast, a mysterious hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall, which none of the king's wise men could interpret. This event is recorded in Daniel 5, a chapter that highlights the themes of divine judgment and the sovereignty of God over earthly kingdoms.

The Writing on the Wall:

As the feast progressed, Belshazzar and his nobles drank wine from the holy vessels, praising the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone. Suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall. The king was terrified, and his countenance changed. He called for the enchanters, astrologers, and diviners to interpret the writing, promising great rewards to anyone who could decipher it. However, none could provide an explanation.

Daniel's Introduction:

The queen, hearing the commotion, reminded Belshazzar of Daniel, a man in whom "the spirit of the holy gods" dwelt, who had served under King Nebuchadnezzar with great wisdom and insight. Daniel was summoned to interpret the writing. Despite his advanced age, Daniel remained steadfast in his faith and wisdom, attributes that had distinguished him throughout his life in Babylon.

The Reward Offered:

Belshazzar promised Daniel that if he could interpret the writing, he would be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around his neck, and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom. This reward was significant, as purple clothing and gold chains were symbols of high honor and authority in ancient Near Eastern cultures. The position of third ruler was likely due to Belshazzar being co-regent with his father, Nabonidus, making the third position the highest available under the king.

Daniel's Response and Interpretation:

Daniel, however, was not motivated by earthly rewards. He told Belshazzar, "Keep your gifts for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means" (Daniel 5:17). Daniel proceeded to remind Belshazzar of Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God due to his pride and warned the king that he had not humbled his heart despite knowing all this.

The writing on the wall, "MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN," was interpreted by Daniel as a divine message of judgment: "MENE: God has numbered the days of your reign and brought it to an end. TEKEL: You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient. PERES: Your kingdom has been divided and given over to the Medes and Persians" (Daniel 5:26-28).

The Fulfillment of the Reward:

Despite Daniel's initial refusal of the reward, Belshazzar fulfilled his promise. "Then at Belshazzar’s command, Daniel was clothed in purple, a gold chain was placed around his neck, and he was proclaimed the third highest ruler in the kingdom" (Daniel 5:29). This act, however, was short-lived, as that very night, Belshazzar was slain, and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy Daniel had interpreted.

Significance:

Belshazzar's reward to Daniel underscores the transient nature of earthly power and wealth. Daniel's indifference to the reward highlights his commitment to serving God above all else. This narrative serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate authority and the importance of humility and faithfulness in the face of worldly temptations and trials.